Ash Wednesday

13 Feb 2013

We managed to not move the motorhome today, which felt rather triumphant, considering the number of things we got done. 

When we bought our RV, the guy took $300 off the price because of a crack in the windshield.  We just got it replaced today for $243, and they came out to us to replace it.  This RV is just getting better with each day.  So, that took up a bit of our morning. (Nice new windshield, below.)

Before lunch I started counting the costs to go visit theme parks in Orlando for three days and had a bit of a shock over how much those tickets are.  I then spent several hours this afternoon pricing different outlets – like AAA versus Costco, versus buying on-line ahead of time.  I was not prepared to spend a thousand dollars in three days just to stand in line for two hours for a two-minute ride.  Something had to give.

The first idea was that just one of us would accompany Kaleb into the theme parks, thus saving the $88 entrance fee per day and another $20 for parking.  I checked endlessly for any kind of good deal out there, and there really are none, so I knew I’d have to bite the bullet.  But, I did have one thing in my favor.  I have a platinum visa card through a credit union which earns points, so I checked their website and found I could get Kaleb a 3 day pass for all three Universal parks for $24 because I didn’t have exactly enough points to get the whole thing for free.  This was a $270 savings, so I was shouting hallelujah over that one.  So then I splurged and bought him the Express Pass which lets him cut in front of the line for each ride once.  It wasn’t a cheap option, but prudent, considering we’ll be at the park over a three day weekend when it’s bound to be more crowded than usual.  At least he’ll get to go on all the rides once, and we won’t have to return another day.  I’m thinking it was money well spent.  Planning is the key, as they only sell so many of those Express Passes per day so I’m glad I got it now.

Through AAA I bought a 3-day pass for Kory and I to hopefully share, as I’m hoping we can alter days at the park and let one of us sit poolside at the RV park and just relax.  In the end, what easily could have cost nearly a thousand dollars, cost less than $300 for 3 days of non-stop “fun,” so I hope Kaleb is happy.  It cost me nearly a day just to work out all the kinks. I then had the challenge of finding a place to print out all my on-line tickets. The Marriott hotel next door was kind enough to let me use their business center, so I’m good to go – assuming I don’t lose those tickets!

We had a bit of rain this morning, and it’s been cold all day, but by dinnertime it had cleared up enough that we went for a walk around the Rocket Center grounds (see Stealth Bomber below and Red Cardinal above!), secretly hoping to catch a glimpse of Kaleb, but instead got a few minutes of sunbreaks and lots of crisp cold air.  It was good to stretch a bit since we’ve both mostly been sitting for the past few days. 

Since tomorrow is Valentine’s Day and all the restaurants will be full to overflowing (one would hope), we decided to go out tonight to celebrate.  I poured out all the love I could on Kory and let him order salmon for dinner (top photo).  Of course, it had to be cooked with no oil or butter, and the veggies had to be steamed and the potato had to be baked with none of the trimmings, but he wasn’t complaining a bit.  It was pretty yummy.  We ate at the Steakhouse restaurant at the Marriott just steps from our RV, so that was handy, and quite the treat.

Kory repaired a leak under the bathroom sink today, which I discovered when I took out a towel and it was soaked.  Good thing I kept the towels under there or we would have had water damage.  We had better internet connection today too, so Kory and I just sat and read the news for hours on end when we weren’t otherwise being “productive.”  I think by the time this week is up, we’ll be ready to move again.  For now, being a slug feels pretty good.